The drums are the foundation of many different types of music including pop. rock, and hip hop. Consequently, the sound of the drums can make or break a recording, and the art of recording a drum kit has been around virtually as long as recorded music.
The first thing to know about recording drums is that there is no “best way” to go about it. Every kit and player is different and the sound you want needs to balance them with what is called for in the track. In fact, if you are thinking of working with an engineer who uses a cookie cutter approach to recording drums, quickly turn around and run away.
There are some points to consider when approaching a drum kit to record:
1. Are there any drums that ring? This can kill a drum recording and is easily addressed by a drummer who knows how to tune their kit properly.
2. What does the room sound like? Is it live or dead and does that match with the sound you want to record? For me, these are criteria that determines whether I use close micing techniques or give some distance to the mics.
3. How good is the drummer? A drummer who can play evenly makes for a much more solid recording and will save a huge amount of time when it comes to mixdown.
These are a few things to think about when recording a drum kit. Come see me at CCM Studios for the best drum tracks in colorado!
